LettersHong Kong democracy: electoral reform ensures voters make healthy choices

Even with the government’s pre-screening of candidates for public office, Hongkongers will have a choice. But from now on the options will only be healthy – akin to vegan burgers instead of unhealthy triple cheeseburgers

2-MIN READ2-MIN

The choices on offer in the Hong Kong election buffet could be likened to burgers with vegan patties. Photo: iStock

Published: 1:15pm, 18 Apr 2021Updated: 1:15pm, 18 Apr 2021

Lately, there has been a great deal of concern – especially in some Western media – about Hong Kong’s electoral overhaul. While some of the proposed changes might be dubious, some amendments to the electoral law had become necessary.

Especially during the social unrest of 2019, the Legislative Council resembled at times an unruly kindergarten with opposition members yelling abuse and hurling objects and smelly substances. In 2018, a lawmaker snatched the mobile phone of a Legco staff member who got caught in the fray.

Many of these lawmakers were immature and dishonoured Legco as an institution. The endless filibustering did not help matters.

Even with the pre-screening of candidates, Hongkongers will still have a choice. For instance, they will be able to choose between members of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, the New People’s Party or the newly created Bauhinia Party. Some Western countries also have restrictions preventing some people from running.

Though not perfect, Hong Kong’s democracy is in some respects superior to that in other countries. For instance, in the United Kingdom, European Union (non-UK) residents were not entitled to participate in the Brexit referendum even though many of them had lived there for a long time.

Similarly, Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are not allowed to participate in Israel’s elections. However, in Hong Kong, any permanent resident is able to vote in district council and Legco elections.